This short note on artichokes is from my very dear friend, Timothy Gast. Tim recently retired from a long career in the produce industry, and he knows his veggies. Now, he and his husband, Paul Angleheart, spend time taking care of their beautiful yard in San Francisco, California, and their sweet rescue kids, Maya and kitty Pat. Well, they didn't recuse Pat; she just moved in - smart girl. And they grace their friends and family with delicious meals from their gourmet kitche

Silky and nutty with walnuts, lemon and garlic, is a simple dip, spread, or side to grilled and roasted dishes. Way back in the 70s I worked my way through college as a sous chef at Chico Cheese and Charcuterie. It was a small place owned by Bill and Tom. I was their only employee. We had over 300 kinds of imported cheeses and house-made delicacies to go. This spread was very popular. Origins of Eggplant Caviar Eggplant caviar (often called melitzanosalata, baba ganoush, bakł

my Recipe Fig trees are magnificent, beautiful masterpieces of nature. They provide glorious shade, and some branches are perfect for sitting or climbing. Much like the olive tree, the fig tree has been around for a very long time and has played a significant role in human civilization. And, of course, there are the figs. Figs are the oldest known cultivated fruit. Since the story of Adam and Eve depicts them wearing fig leaves, fig trees must have grown wild back then. But r

This recipe and photos are from Francois de Melogue our Guest Chef. Please read his story here. Francois de Melogue Calamari Salad with Farro, Chickpeas, and Preserved Lemon Prep Time: 25 minutes | Cook Time: 30 minutes | Serves: 4 Francois: " This is a vibrant, sun-soaked Mediterranean salad perfect for summer entertaining." "Just before serving, I love to drizzle the salad with a splash of high-quality extra virgin olive oil. That final touch adds a silky richness and a sp

Broth is one of my favorite things to make in the fall and winter. The slow cooker is on a few days a week. As I write this post, there's some chicken broth brewing in my INSTANT POT . I love my instant pot. I left my slow cookers in California and replaced them with an instant pot when I moved. You can brown things before adding liquid! There has been a lot of hoopla about stocks and broth in the last many years. But stocks and broths have been a staple in cuisine worldwid